Beer Safari BOTW 2/8

Broodwich · 02-08-2008, 12:18 PM

Fun facts: TThe art of white beer brewing was thanks to the work of monks living in the small Belgian town of Hoegaarden, they discovered the recipe in 1445 (as the bottle suggests). Hoegaarden's monks were so good at their job of making beer and wine that at one point in time there was over 30 small farmhouse breweries in the small town which is less than a hour away from the well known Brussels. However there was great odds against these white beer breweries, with the competition from the lager industry and both World Wars causing theft from them. The last Hoegaarden brewery closed down in 1957.

However nine years later, a milkman by the name of Pierre Celis, who was talking with his friends about how they missed the old white beer. With this Pierre Celis who used to live next door to the brewery decided it was time to bring back the style. With financial help from his father and brewing help from a veteran brewer he started a small farmhouse brewer he called, The Cloister (or more commonly known as De Kluis, in Flemish).

* Gold Medal, 2006 World Beer Cup
* Bronze Medal, 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards
* Gold Medal, 2004 World Beer Cup
* Silver Medal, 1996 Brewing Industry International Awards

**MULTI NATIONAL CORPORATE BREWER ALERT!!!***
Owned by: InBev

Country of Origin: Belgium

From the InBev Website:Hoegaarden is totally different - by nature. It is different from virtually any other beer or beverage experience in the world - different in the kind of beverage that it is, and in the naturally refreshing taste experience.

Hoegaarden is the authentic Belgian wheat or white beer. It has a unique and extremely complex brewing process whereby the brand is first top fermented and then is refermented within the bottle - ending up in a unique cloudy-white appearance. The brand's unique appearance is mirrored by its one-of-a-kind taste - sweet and sour beer with a little bitterness, slightly spicy, with a strong touch of coriander and a hint of orange, perfect for warm summer days, instead of other refreshing beverages. Refreshing, a little quirky, and decidedly different - naturally.

BeerAdvocate.com Information: Hoegaarden Original White Ale - Brouwerij van Hoegaarden - Beer Advocate

Confirmed Availability / Place of Purchase: Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits Lincoln Center Ames, IA

Cost: $16.99 12 pk bottles

mike4cy · 02-08-2008, 12:20 PM

Hm, you have sparked my interest.

mfelske · 02-08-2008, 12:23 PM

I'm not a huge fan of Belgian beers, but this one isn't bad. A very good example of a white. My wife loves it.

Bovine · 02-08-2008, 01:02 PM

They just put this on tap at the bar I frequent. I would recommend it if you have not tried it.

Broodwich · 02-08-2008, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by mfelske

I'm not a huge fan of Belgian beers, but this one isn't bad. A very good example of a white. My wife loves it.

I'm not a fan of Italian Sports Cars or Hittori Hanzo swords, so I can understand.

josier · 02-08-2008, 01:05 PM

My wife was in Belgium on business and tried this beer and absolutely loves it. To truly appreciate it, you should have a draught, as I've found the bottles taste quite a bit different. My guess is that it doesn't sell very quickly and the shelf life is relatively short.

Broodwich · 02-08-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by josier

My wife was in Belgium on business and tried this beer and absolutely loves it. To truly appreciate it, you should have a draught, as I've found the bottles taste quite a bit different. My guess is that it doesn't sell very quickly and the shelf life is relatively short.

For BOTW fans and participants, if you find it someone ON TAP please post it here. I always prefer draught beers to bottles or cans.

Broodwich · 02-11-2008, 01:39 PM

Who is doing their homework this week?

mfelske · 02-11-2008, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Broodwich

I'm not a fan of Italian Sports Cars or Hittori Hanzo swords, so I can understand.

Touche... The yeast strains used for Belgian style beers tend to add a floral quality. For whatever reason, I don't like that. On a lot of beers it's overwhelming. That's not the case with Hoegarrden.

SeattleClone · 02-11-2008, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Bovine

They just put this on tap at the bar I frequent. I would recommend it if you have not tried it.

What bar is that? Is it in Central Iowa? I am a Hoegaarden fan, but have not found it on tap since Seattle. Bottled is fine, but the best part about it is the huge glass it comes in at the bar.

Bovine · 02-11-2008, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by SeattleClone

What bar is that? Is it in Central Iowa? I am a Hoegaarden fan, but have not found it on tap since Seattle. Bottled is fine, but the best part about it is the huge glass it comes in at the bar.

Bar called Whistle Binkies in Rochester, MN

Welcome to Whistle Binkies

TravelingCY · 02-11-2008, 02:39 PM

I can't say this for sure, but a very good place to check would be the Red Monk in Des Moines. The bar is located on the second floor of the Royal Mile on 4th St.

This bar specializes in Belgian beers such as Delirium Tremens, Nocturnum, etc. They have a lot of obscure Belgians, so I would bet some money that they carry it.

Good hunting!

SeattleClone · 02-11-2008, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by TravelingCY

I can't say this for sure, but a very good place to check would be the Red Monk in Des Moines. The bar is located on the second floor of the Royal Mile on 4th St.

This bar specializes in Belgian beers such as Delirium Tremens, Nocturnum, etc. They have a lot of obscure Belgians, so I would bet some money that they carry it.

Good hunting!

Thanks, I'll have to give that place a try sometime! Sounds good even if they don't have Hoegaarden on tap in the huge glasses.

And I also know where to go if I'm ever in Rochester!